Since I was away for 10 months my family at the Kwai River Christian Hospital were glad to see me back. We are happy to see each other again and we missed each other. They give me a welcome party and as soon as the party was over Dr. Sakda the hospital director ask me a favor if I can handle the Global Fund TB project which is the Reduction of TB Morbidity among non-Thai Migrants in six border and adjacent provinces in Myanmar. TB among migrants poses one of the biggest challenges for TB control in Thailand. So he asked me to be the manager of this project which is a big challenge to me. But in Proverbs 16:3 it says commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
I continue to praise the Lord for the opportunities to establish relationships with different organizations involved in HIV/AIDS and TB ministry here. I also continue to do cell church planting and establish closer and deeper relationship with the people here. I have opportunities to share my testimonies and tell about Jesus. We continue to do our weekly prayer meeting, sharing and encouraging one another.
When I was home on furlough I visited several churches and shared my testimony about my work here in Thailand. I was encouraged and blessed during my visits. I developed closer relationships and they assured me of their prayers for my ministry in Thailand. I had a chance to help the youth and the women in the church where my brother is a pastor. It was also a special time to be with my family especially my mother (93 years old). She was excited and enjoyed our company. I was able to take care of her when she was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia. It was fun during family reunion, everyone enjoyed each others company. My brothers who worked in the ships were home too, my sisters, nieces and nephews.
In the last week of May 2009 I had a surgery in the Philippines, for the removal of gallbladder stone. So I thank you all for sending me emails, cards and phone calls assuring me of your prayers. My brother who works in the ship had an accident and burned his left arm and was admitted in China hospital for 5 days before he was transport home to the Philippines so I have a chance to care for him too.
My experiences and the situation in the Philippines. Praise the Lord! Yes we can praise Him in spite of challenges we are facing these days. You probably heard about typhoons that hit the Philippines and so many lives were lost from landslide and floods. Many flights were stranded and delayed. H1N1 influenza 2009 has affected travels. The global financial crisis affected the lives of many people. Also political situation is not good. So I feel concerned seeing people who are still angry, hurting and fear due to the tragic that they experienced. But one thing is that people tend to seek more closer to God.
My prayer request:
- Please pray for wisdom and strength in facing challenges in my ministry
- Pray for supernatural protection and provision in every area of my ministry, for visible fruit that would encourage and inspire me to go on.
- For discernment as I interact with group of people, patients and staff.
- Pray not only for us but for our family as well
- For solid partnership with people who share the same vision in the ministry.
- Pray for skills in training my staff and patients
- Pray for joy, closer and deeper relationship with the staff
- Our non-Christian contacts to receive Christ and Christians to grow in faith.